Integrating mechanism



Dec. 27, 1932. GORR"; 1,892,183

INTEGRATING MECHANISM Filed Aug. 10. 1951 INVENTOR Harvard H. Gorr i e.

ATTORNEY F Patented Dec. 27,1932

PATENT OFFICE 7 UNITED STATES 4 HABVABD H. GOR RIE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO,"ASSIGNOR TO BAILEY KETEB- COMPANY, A OOBPO RATION OF DELAWAREINTEGRATING MECHANISM .Appllcatlon filed b.ugust 10, 1931. Serial No.558,158.

This invention relates to improvements in mechamsms for the integrationof variables,

especially for integrating variables with re- I spect to time, and wheresuch variables may 5 be of a physical, chemical, electrical, hydraulicor other nature. I

It is known to provide a continuousinte grati'on through an integratorof the plani-' meter or friction contact type wherein, for example, adisc is rotated at a constant speed, while across a radius of the'discis moved a wheel or roller*in frictional engagement at the center of theconstantly rotated disc,

and the register receives no motion; while if the value ofthe variableis a maximum, then the roller is positioned. to a maximum distance fromthe center of the dise and the register is driven at a correspondingspeed. It is further known to obtain a total over any period of time orintegrate with respect to time a variableby periodically determining thevalue of thevariable andeausing a movement of a register in proportionto the value of the variable. The value of the variable may bedetermined at some point of time within the period orcinterval, and themagnitude of the increments of movement of the register may be of a timelength percentage. of the time period or interval proportional to thevalue of the variable. The time incre- .ment of movement of the registerfor a maxi mum value of the variable, may or may not be the completetime length of theinterval' but'is the same for all intervalsof thepart'icular construction. Likewise the value of the variable may betaken at the beginning of. the interval or at some predetermined orother point of the interval.

The two classes of integrators mentioned difier basically'in that thefirst has ltSI'GglS ter operated continuously but at a speed varymg withthe value of the variable, whereas the second has its register operatedat a constant speed, but for lengths of time varying with the valueof-the variable; It is further known that an integrator of the secondclass may have PIOVlSlOIl for locking in position a member whoseposition indicates the value of the variable during the time ofactuation I of the register, and the integration is on the assumptionthat the value of the variable remains the same throughout the timeperiod or interval during which the register is being actuated. y l

The present invention is in the nature of an improvement to known meansof obtaining an integration of a variable with respect to time, whichknown means may be of the above or other general classes. Theinventioncomprises, in general an arrangement somewhat similar to thesecond class described, wherein predetermined time inter-- vals arechosen and the driving means for the register is operated at a constantspeed, but the value of the variable at a partlcular instant during thetime interval is not the determining factor of the amount of actuationof the register during said time interval as in the second classdescribed, nor is there a continuous actuation of the register atdifferent speeds of the register as in the first example; but in mypresent invention I employ a modification of the two wherein the lengthof actuation of the register during each interval of time chosen is inaccordance with the value of the variable at a particular instant duringthat interval of time, modified by the value of the variable throughoutthe time of actuation. This in general is accomplished through allowingthe value of the variable to changeduring the time or through that partof the interval oi time wherein is accomplished the actuation of theregister.

One object oFmy invention is to provide an improvedintegratingvmechanism of the ,type disclosed.

Another object is to provide a means for integrating a variable withrespect to time which allows the variable to change during theintegration.

A further object is to provide an integrating mechanism which does nothave the possibllity of slipping and consequent inaccuracy inherent inthe planimeter type of integrator, and at the same time comprisesimprovements over the class of integrator generally known as theperiodic, variable time length, constant speed integrator.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic representation of my invention inconnection with a rate of flow meter for fluids.

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams representing positions and movements ofparts of the integrating mechanism of Fig. 1.

A variable such as the rate of flow of a fluid through the conduit 1 isdesirably integrated with respect to time to give a total quantity ofthe fluid passing a given point during a specified interval of time suchas the interval between tworeadings of a regisfor. I show positionedwithin the conduit 1, a flow nozzle 2, forming a restriction to flowthrough the conduit and for creating thereby a pressure difl'erentialacross the flow nozzle bearing a known relation to the rate of fluidflow therethrough. From the conduit 1, at opposite sides of the flownozzle 2, I lead the pressure pipes 3 and 4 to a rate of flow meterindicated in general at 5.

Such a rate of flow meter may be of the liquid sealed bell type asdisclosed in the patent to Ledoux No. 1,064,748 granted June 17, 1913,wherein the bell is shaped and has walls of material thickness, to theend that the positioning of the bell is in direct proportion to the rateof fluid flow, thereby correcting for'the quadratic relation which exists between rate of fluid flow through such a flow nozzle anddifferential pressure resultsealed by a liquid such as mercury whoseapproximate level within and without the bell is indicated.

Pressure within the conduit 1 ahead of the flow nozzle 2 is effectivethrough the pipe 3 upon the interior of the bell 6, while pressure atthe outlet of the flow nozzle 2 is effective through the pipe 4 upon theexterior of the hell 6, to the end that the bell is positionedvertically by the pressure differential across the flow nozzle and inlinear relation to the rate of flow of the fluid.

Such vertical positioning of the bell results in an angular positioning,about a fixed fulcrum point 7, of an arm 8 for transmittin motion fromthe bell to the shaft of the fulcrum 7 for positioning an arm 9 whosefunction will be explained hereinafter, and for positioning anindicating .pen or pointer 10 cooperating with an index 11. f The pen 10is further adapted to record over a circular eashes I have shown theflow meter 5 in a position indicating a rate of flow approximately 20%of maximum, wherein the free end 14 of the arm 9 is in the shownposition intermediate 7 the positions A and B respectively indicatin theposition of the point 14 at zero rate 0 flow and at maximum rate offlow.

I provide in connection with the flow meter 5, a register 15 havinggraduated dials and pointers moving in conjunction therewith, foraffording a continuously available means of reading the accumulatedtotal of the flow of the fluid through the conduit 1, which total flowfor any desired interval may be obtained by subtracting the reading ofthe dials of the register 15 at the be inning of the interval from thereading of t e dials at the end of the interval, the difference betweensuch readings representing the total flow between the beginning and theend of the interval of time. The arrangement being such that the totalis the integration of the rate of flow of fluid with respect to time.

For driving the register 15 which in itself contains the necessary gearreduction between dials, I provide 'a driven integrating shaft 17 driventhrough the bevel gears 18 by a constant speed normally operatingdriving shaft 19 which in turn is continuously driven by the motor 13.

'Interposed in the shaft 17 is a friction means 20 wherein the shaft 17is actually broken but the two parts held in frictional engagement bymeans of a spring, to the end that if that part of the shaft 17connected to the register 15 is locked or held against rotation, the,friction means will slip, allowin the motor 13 to continue to rotate thesha t 19 and that part of the shaft 17 connected thereto through thebevels 18.

To provide a means for locking or unlocking that part of the shaft 17connected to the register 15, I provide a locking wheel 21 positioned onthe shaft 17 between the friction means 20 and the register 15 andadapted to turn with the shaft 17 when unlocked through disengagement ofa pawl 22. The

g actuation of the register 15, I unlock the locking wheel 21 bymechanically moving out of engagement therewith the pawl 22, and whenthe locking wheel is unlocked, the friction means 20 causes a driving ofthe register at a constant rate of speed by the motor 13. I desirablyunlock the locking wheel periodi- I cally and for a time portion of eachperiod,-

of a length determined not'only by the value of the variable (rate offluid flow) at the beginning of the period, but modified by any 1 changein the value of the rate of flow during that portion of the period whenthe locking wheel is unlocked. That is, at the beginning of each periodof time I cause an unlock: ing of the lockingwheel and the portion ofthe period during which the locking wheel is .unlocked for driving isdetermined by the rate of flow at the beginning of the period,

but the portion is modified by any change in the member 28 is at theposition A when there is zero flow through the conduit 1 and at aposition B when there is maximum flow through the conduit 1, thustraversing a pre determined path in a single plane in space.

The opposite end of the member 28 carries a roller 29 which by gravitybears against and in contact with the surface of a cam 30 in a mannersuch that that end of the member 28 is continually reciprocated at asubstantially uniform speed between the limits of travel C and D byrotation of the cam 30 as driven by'the motor 13. a The chart 12, forexample, may be arranged to make one revolution in 24 hours, while thespeed of the cam 30 might be in the nature of one revolution in 10seconds, and the actuation of the register 15 at intermediate or otherspeeds as determined by the internal gear reduction of the'register andthe ratio of gears 18. It will be seen, then, that the member 28 isarranged .for positioning along a definite path, within limits of*travel, in a single plane and such that movement of the member isangularly about either end by the positioning of the opposite endbetween definite limits of travel, to the end that the actuating point27 as sumes a position between limits of travel independence upontheposition of the point 14 and of the roller 29.

Thus at any given rate of flow corresponding to a definite position ofthe point 14, the actuating point 27 is reciprocated along a definitepath in the plane of movement of the member 28 and by the reciprocationbetween the limits C and D (if the roller 29. When the rate of flow iszero and the point 14 is at the location A, then the reciprocation ofvthe roller 27 through reciprocation of the roller 29 will not causeengagement after.

between the actuating point andthe arm'26i However, when the point 14 isat B, then the roller 27 may bear against the "arm 26 throughout theentire or major portin of the reciprocation between the points C and Dof the roller'29.

It will be seen that when theactuating point engages the arm 26, thepawl 22 is disengaged from the locking wheel 21, and the -friction means20 allows the motor 13 to drive the register 15. Thus the length of timethrough which the locking wheel is unlocked and the register 15 is beingdriven,

is determined by thatportion of the time cycle of the cam 30 throughwhich the ,actuating point engages the ,arm 26, and such portlon isdetermined by the position of the point 14 along the path AB.

As the cam 30 is rotated,,the position of the point 14 determines whatortion of-such rotation is used for driving 1;, e register 15, but thedrive is continually modified through the fact that the point 14 is freeto change its position along the path A--B during actuation of theregister 15., Thus the increment of movement of the register 15 for eachrevolution of the cam 30, i. e., for each time interval, is a functionof the rate of flow throughout that interval. Y I

A certain definite. relationship desirably exists between the locationof the actuating point of the roller 27, the point 14 and the point ofcontact of the roller 29 withithe cam 30, as well as between theactuating point and the extension 26. Such relationship and its effectupon the actuation of the mechanism is diagrammatically shown in Figs.2, 3, 4 and 5 to be described in detail herein- To efiect movement orpositioning of the actuating point 27 relativeto the member 28 I provideon the member 28 adjusting means for moving the actuating pointrelaative to the ends of the member as well as at.

right angles to such movement.

Through the member 28 passes a thumbscrew 31 threaded through a block 32which is guided in a manner such that rotation of g the thumbscrew 31causes a shifting of osition of the block 32 toward or away rom themember 28. Through the block 32, at

right angles to the thumbscrew 31 and in parallelism .with the member'28 is a second thumbscrew 33 threaded through a block 34 carrying theroller 27. A turning of the thumbscrew 33 causes a movement of theroller 27 and its actuating point toward one end of the member 28 andaway from the other end of the member. 7

In Figs. 2, 3,4 and 5 I show diagrammatically preferred relationshipsbetween the actuating oint 27, the extension 26, and the travel of t etwo ends of the member 28'. 1 illustrate in these four figures thelimits of travel of the point 14, namelyjAand B, and the limits oftravel of thezc'ontact point of v cam 30.

In Fig. 2 the solid line AFD represents the osition of the member 28when the rate of uid flow is zero and the roller 29 at its uppermostpoint (in the drawing) of its reeiprocation by the cam 30. With the rateof flow remaining zero, the reciprocation of the cam 30 moves the member28 to the dotted line position AEC. If the rate of flow is a maximum or100%, the point 14 moves to the position B, and the dotted lines BED andBGC represent the travel of the member 28 through reciprocation of theroller 29.

A line XY joins the midpoint of travel AB with the midpoint of travelCD, coinciding at the point E with the crossing of the diagonals AECandBED.

I have designated on the member 28 the actuating point of the roller 27as F in Figs. 2, .3 and 4 and in Fig. 2 the actuating point will movealong a path FE when the rate of flow is zero and along a path EG whenthe rate of flow is 100. At E the actuating point F just engages theextension 26 so that when the rate of flow is zero the movement of theactuating point F between the limits F. E

1 causes no movement of the extension 26 or correspondingly, noactuation of the register 15. As the rate of flow increases from A to B,the movement of the actuating'point F .along the path FG will be a partof the definite distance FG, substantially one-half of such distance,and such part will lie along the path F G relative to the point E inaccordance with the rate of fluid flow.

For example, considering Fig. 3, I have shown the rate of fluid flow asor one half way between the limits A,'B, and in this position the solidline XD and the dotted line XC represent the total extreme positions ofthe member 28 through reciprocation of the roller 29. The travel of theactuating point F being the part substantially one half the distance FG(namely the distance FI-I of Fig. 3) and it will be seen that a portionof such part lies beyond or below the predetermined point E at which theactuating point engages the extension 26. Such portion of the travel ofthe actuating point F as is indicated at EH will then cause an unlockingof the pawl 22 from the locking wheel 21 for actuation of the register15.

The predetermined point E relative to which the actuating point Fbecomes effective for an actuation of the register 15, moves along theline XY with the crossing of diagonals, between the limits of travel ofthe ends of the member 28 so as to coincide with such crossing point ofthe diagonals, so long as is parallel to the line of points of themember 28 when the member is at its mid-travel position, namely when theleft-hand end is midway A-B and when the right-hand end is midway CD. Byline of points of the member 28 I mean a line connectin the oint 14, theactuating point, and the point 0 con tact of the roller 29 with the cam30.

Should I move the actuating point F along the line XY, then I mustreadjust the travel of one end or the other of the member 28 or myconditions of travel do not balance. If, for example, in Fig. 2 Ishifted the point F to the left, then the flow would have to increase toa substantial amount greater than the register would exist. Thus fullactuation or range of actuation of the register would be accomplished ina rate of flow travel distance lessthan the distance AB, and to satisfycorrectly a condition of moving the actuating point F to-the left inFig. 2 along the line XY I musteither decrease the distance A-B, namelythe throw of the point 14:, or increase the throw of the cam, namelyincrease the distance C-D. Conversely, should I change the dimensionsA--B or CD I find that the predetermined point E or crossing point ofdiagonals shifts one way or the other from that shown in Fig. 2, and

that the actuating point F should be corre- I angular travel of the arm8 of the fiow meter i 5, to increase the travel A-B, or byshorteningthe. arm 9 I could decrease the travel In Fig. 4 I show a conditionwherein the throw of the cam 30 has been doubled to that illustrated inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 and the distance Cl) materially greater than thedistance AB. I illustrate such conditions to show that the predeterminedpoint E shifts toward the shorter of the two distances AB or CD. Thetotal limits of travel of the actuating point F is between points F andG, and that part of the travel FE or EG, ifthe rate of flow is zero or amaximum respectively. is as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, substantially one-halfof the-dis tance FG. .Furthermore, the portion of the part which isefiective in actuating the register is thatportion which falls below thep'redetermined'point E in the path FG of the actuating point F, as inthecase of the other I find that certain advantages may be ob tainedthrough vaiY-yingthe inclination of the actuating line X relative tothe,lin e of points of them'ember 28. In Figs. 2, 3 and 4 I illustratethe line XY as arallel to the position of the line of points ofthemember 28 when the member is in mid-travel osition. To change theposition of the line Y relative to the line of points I provide on thepart 4 23 a projection through which passes a threaded thumhscrew intothe extension 26. The extension 26 being pivoted at 24 and held to movewith the part 23 around the fulcrum 24 by the joinin of the thumbscrew.35. By means of the t umbscrew 351 may vary the relative position of theextenpoints, namely withthe left-hand end of the member at A(representative of zero flow) and with the right-hand'end of the memberthe lines AFD and AEG, wherein n'o actua at C. I assume that the travelA-B and CD are as in Figs. 1, and 2, and that the distance CDisrepresentative of the travel of that end of the member 28 for one-halfof the cycle of the'cam 30. Also that with 100% flow, continuousrotation of the locking wheel 21 and continuous actuation of theregister 15 would obtain. On such an as sumption the register-mightread, for example,-100,000 pounds accumulated overa period of one hour,as indicating a flow of-fluid through the conduit 1 of amounts equaling100,000 pounds in a time interval of one hour. In the diagram of Fig. 5I shift the prede termined point E which represents the point of contactof the actuating point F with the contact surface XY to the right of thediagonal crossing point. With zero flow the member assumes the positionrepresented between tion is accomplished of the register 15 be cause ,atfull. reciprocation along the line CD the actuating point F just comesto the point E but does notdepress it. As, however,

the flow increases from to B, the actuating point F engages the cont-actline XY to depress it and actuate the register 15 for.

amounts varying iththe rate of 'flow.-

When maximum rate of flow is accomplished, then reciprocation of thebeam is between the lines BJD and BGC. However, only that part of thetravel of the actuating point F,

' ing these limits, for this depen namely EG, is effective to actuatethe 15, while that part of its travel EJ is not so effective, for duringthe travel EJ the actuat If, t en, the distance C- and correspondinglythe distance'G--J represented 100,000 pounds per hour on the register15, so the distance 0-K and correspondinglyGE may represent some valuesu'ch'as 80,000 pounds per hour. It will be apparent that the actuatingoint F may beshifted as in Fig. 5 to the rig t of its Ypositionillustratedin Fi .2 when the line X; is parallel to the line A and suchshifting may be continued until the distance C-K decreases to zero. Thusfor a register gear ratio representing, a certain maximum reading withina given time interval as represented by the distance C-D, I may varysuch maximum and desirably attain maximum readings which are odd valuesor values not within the possibilities of change gears. I

In general, through the adjustment provided, namely the thumbscrews 31,33 and 35, I have a means of shifting the'relation of the the point ofcontact of the roller 29 with the cam 30 moves between the limits G-D.

When I speakqof the other'end of the meinber 28 being positioned orreciprocated'between the limits of travel A-B, I mean on that end thepivot point 114: which in its extremes of travel lies on theline A orthe line B. ,1 V

By the reciprocation of the actuating point I mean that movement of thepoint of contact between-the roller 27 and the arm 26.

oint F does not engage the line XY.

line X'Y to the 'line of points of the member "28 and further ofshifting the position of It will be understood that in referring toreciprocation I do this broadly, and do not.

limit myself to reciprocation along an exactly straight line in bothdirections, but mean such reciprocation modified by angular ity 'orsimilar efiects as is well known in the type of linkage connections andarrangement disclosed herein. For example, while I state that thecontact point of the roller 29 with thecam 30 is reciproc ted betweenthe limits C and D, the point of ntact does not definitely follow asingle strai ht line between upon the position of the pivot point 14between its limits of travel at the time of reciprocation of the otherend of the member 28. However, for

the purpose of illustration the reciprocation between the limits C-D issubstantially along a single straight line. The positioning of the pivotpoint 14 between the limits A-B follows substantially a single path, butthe movement of the actuating point may vary slightly from a straightline, dependent upon relative positions of the two ends of the member28. To all intents and purposes the movements of the two ends of themember and of the actuating point are along single straight lines in theplane of movement of the member 28, for I can readily take care ofcorrecting for angularity or other well known effects throughproportioning of moment arms, design of the cam 30, etc.

While I have illustrated and described a certain preferred embodiment ofmy invention, it is to be distinctly understood that I am not to belimitedthereby except as to the claims appended hereinafter in view ofprior art. For example, it is not necessary that the variable which Idesire to integrate be rate of fluid fiow, nor must such variablenecessarily be integrated with respect to time. Furthermore, themechanical construction and features as illustrated and described may bedeparted from, as will be readily understood by those familiar with theart, while still maintaining the features of the invention, and stillbeing capable of performing any integration of a variable with respectto an independent variable as represented by the expression:

It will be apparent further that my invention accomplishes an actuationthrough a positioning of an actuating point such as the point of contactof the roller 27 with respect to the extension 26, and that suchactuation need not necessarily move a clutch away from a clutch wheelbut might accomplish the closing or opening of anelectric circuit orotherwlse initiate an action or movement representative of a desiredrelation, which in the present embodiment is between rate of fluid flowand time, and in general, of a. variable relative to an independentvariable. y

. What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, is

1. Mechanical apparatus for integrating a variable with respect to timecomprising in combination, a memberpositioned responsive to the value ofthe variable, means actuated at a substantially uniform time rate, andmechanical means for periodically accumulating time increments ofindividual value dependent upon thefirst-named means.

2. In an integrator, a constant ,speed normallyoperating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, and mechanical meansforperiodically operating the integrating shaft by the said drivingshaft, said means positioned according to a linear function of avariable tobe integrated.

3. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, and mechanical meansfor periodically connecting said shafts, said means positioned accordingto a linear function of a variable to be integrated.

4. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, friction meansinterconnecting said shafts, and means for periodically releasing saidfriction means.

5. In an integrator, a constant speed driving shaft, a drivenintegrating shaft, friction means connecting said shafts, and meansresponsive to the value of a variable to be integrated for periodicallyreleasing said friction means.

6. In an integrator, a constant speed, normally operating driving shaft,a register, a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft foroperating the register, friction means connecting the shafts, lockingmeans for the integrating shaft whereby when such shaft is locked thefriction means slips, and means positioned by a variable to beintegrated for periodically releasing the locking means.

7. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating shaft, anormally inoperative driven integrating shaft, friction meansinterconnecting said shafts, and means for effectmg an operation of theintegrating shaft, said means responsive to an independent variable andto the value of a variable to be integrated with respect to theindependent variable.

8. Apparatus comprising a member adapted to be freely positioned withinlimits in a plane for effecting an actuation, one end of the memberreciprocated at a substantially uniform rate along a given path in theplane, the other end of the member positioned between limits inaccordance with a function of a variable, the duration of the actuationproportional to an instantaneous value of the variable modified bychange in such value during the actuation.

9. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, and mechanical meansincluding a member for periodically operating the integrating shaft bythe said driving shaft, said member positioned in linear relation to avariable to be integrated. a

10. Apparatus comprising in combination, a constant'speed normallyoperating driving shaft, a normally inoperative driven shaft,'a deviceadapted to be operated by said driven shaft, friction meansconnecting'the shafts, locking means for the-normally inoperative drivenshaft, and means for releasing said locking means whereupon the drivingshaft operates the device at a constant speed, said sitioned by avariable and by an independent variable.

12. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a register adapted tobe operated by said driven shaft, friction means connecting the shafts,locking means for the integrating shaft, and means for releasing saidlocking means whereupon the driving shaft operates the register at aconstant speed, said last-named means re- 7 sponsive to a memberpositioned by an indetime, t e magm ude ofthe ,independent variable.

pendent variable and by a variable, whereby the variable is integratedwith respett to the 13; In an integrator for fluid flow, a constantspeed normally operating driving shaft,

'a' normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a register adapted tobe operated by the driven shaft, friction means connecting the shafts,locking means for the integrating shaft, a rate of'flow meter of thefluid, said meter responsive to pressure differences bearing quadraticrelation to rate of fluid flow, the meter comprising means for producingmotion bearing a linear relation. to rate of fluid flow,a memberpositioned by said last-' named means, and means actuated by the memberfor releasing the locking means whereuponthe driving shaft operates theregister, at a substantially constant speed for a given 'ortion f apredetermined interval of portion dependent upon the rate of fluid flow.r p

.14. In an integrator, a constant speed norimally operating drivingshaft, anormally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a registeradapted to be operated bythe driven shaft, friction means connecting theshafts,- locking means for the integrating shaft, means for'releasingthe locking means whereupon the driving shaft operates the register at asub: stantially constantqspeed, said, last-named. means rompri'singamember adapted to be positioned along a definite path in one plane, oneend of the member periodically reciprocated at a substantially uniformrate between limits of travel, the other end of the member positionedwithin limitsof travel and pro portional to the value of a variable tobeinte-- grated with resp ctto time, the member intermediate its endshaving an actnating poi'nt for efiecting-therelease of said lockingmeans,"

said actuating point of the member reciproeated periodlcallya distancesubstantially one-half the definite distance between its limmoved by theactuating point beyond a predetermined point in its path of movementbeing effective for releasing the said locking means, and means forvarying the effective actuation of the register. V

15. An integrating mechanism for a fluid flow meter comprising a memberpositioned in one plane by two components namely rate of fluid flow andtime, a register, means for periodically actuating the register, meanscontrolled by said member for varying the extent of said actuation, andautomatic means operated in synchronism with the first-named means forperiodically locking the register against movement.

16. An integrating fluid meter comprising in combination, a device forcreating a pressure difference bearing a known relation'to tionedresponsive to said pressure difference, indicating means of the bellposition, a member positioned between limits in one plane by saidindicating means, the member further positioned by a time responsiveelement, the resultant instantaneous position relative to space of anactuating point of the member being determined as a component of flowand time, registering means for accumulating movements representingquantities of'fluidflowing in increments of time, and driving means ofthe register made efi ective by said member.

17. An integrating devlce comprising in combination, a register, aconstantly rotating being positioned along a definite path in one plane.one end of the beam reciprocated at a substantially uniform rate along agiven path in the plane, the other end ofthe beam positioned betweenlimits in accordance with a funct on of a variable to be integrated withrespect to time.

18. An integrating device comprising in combination, a register, amemberadapted to be positioned between limits in a plane, a

measuring. apparatus of -a variable for Iiositioning one end of themember and in amounts proportional to the value of the variable to bethe rate of fluid flow, a liquid sealed bell posiintegrated with respectto time, and a constantly driven cam for periodically reciproeating theother end of the member at a substantially uniform rate between limitsin the plane, the member intermediate its ends adapted to actuate theregister.

19. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a register adapted tobe operated by said driven shaft, friction means connecting the shafts,locking means for the integrating shaft, and means for releasing saidlocking means whereupon the driving shaft operates the register-at aconstantspeed, said last-named means comprising a member adapted to bepositioned along a definite path in a plane, one end of the memberperiodically reciprocated at a substantially uniform rate betweendefinite limits of travel, the other end of the member positionedproportional to the value of a variable between definite limits oftravel, whereby the variable is integrated with respect to time.

20. An integrating device comprising in combination, a register, aconstantly rotating driving means, a shaft for transmitting motion fromthe driving means to the register, a friction means interposed in saidshaft, a locking wheel carried by the shaft and between the frictionmeans and the register, a pawl for locking the locking wheel againstrotation, and a member adapted to release said pawl whereby, the drivingmeans may actuate the register through the shaft and friction means.

21. An integrating mechanism having a member movable in proportion toone of the factors of a variable to be integrated, comprising an elementcontacting with said member and whose point of contact is positionedalong a predetermined path in a given plane proportional to the value ofthe variable to be integrated, a register, means for actuating theregister at periodic intervals, means whereby the duration of suchactuations varies in correspondence with the position of themember, andmeans for automatically locking the register against movement atperiodic intervals which bear adefinite relation to the periodicintervals before mentioned.

22. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,anormally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a register adapted to beoperated by the driven shaft, friction means connecting the shafts,locking means for the integrating shaft, and a member having anactuating point thereof for effecting an unlocking of the locking meanswhereupon the driving shaft operates the register at a substantiallyconstant speed, means causing a reciprocation of said actuating pointalong a path between limits of travel and in amount approximatelyone-half the distance between the limits, time re sponsive element andan element whose position is representative of the value of a variableto be integrated with respect to time for positioning said last-namedmeans, the reciprocation of the actuating point representfor 'a portionof the time interval, the magnitude of the portion and its location in,the interval being a functionrof the variable.

23. Apparatus for effecting an actuation, comprising in combination, aconstant speed normally operating driving shaft, a normall inoperativedriven shaft, a device adapted to be operated by the driven shaft,friction means connecting the shafts, locking means for the drivenshaft, and means for releasing the locking means whereupon the drivingshaft operates the device at a substantially constant speed, saidlast-named means comprising a member having an actuating point foreffecting the release of said locking means, said actuating point of themember adapted for movement over a distance substantially one-half thedefinite distance between its possible limits ofvtravel, said definitedistance determined by the total travel of the two ends of the memberand the location of the actuating point of the member relative to theends of the member, that portion of the distance moved by the actuatingpoint beyond a predetermined point in its path of movement beingeffective for releasing the said locking means.

24. In an integrator, a constant speed normally operating driving shaft,a normally inoperative driven integrating shaft, a register adapted tobe operated by the driven shaft, friction means connecting the shafts,locking means for the integrating shaft, and means for releasing thelocking means whereupon the driving shaft operates the register at a mga definite time interval, the actuatingpoint effective in unlocking thelocking meanssubstantially constant speed, said last-named meanscomprising a member adapted to be positioned along a definite path inone plane, one end of the member positioned between limits of travel byan independent variable,

the other end of the member positioned with-,

in limits of travel and proportional to the value of a variable to beintegrated with respect to the independent variable, the memberintermediate its ends having an actuating point for effecting therelease of said locking means, said actuating point of the memberpositioned within a distance substantially one-half the definitedistance between its possible limits of travel, said definite distancedetermined by the total travel of the two ends of the member and thelocation of the actuating point of the member relative to the ends ofthe member, that portion of the distance moved by-the actuating pointbeyond a predetermined point in its path of movement bethe driving shaftoperates the register at a substantially constant speed, said last-namedmeans comprising a member adapted to be positioned along a definite pathin one plane, one end of the member periodically reciprocated at asubstantially uniform rate between limits of travel, the other end ofthe member positioned within limits of travel and proportional to thevalue of a variable to be integrated with respect to time, the. memberintermediate its ends having an actuating point for effecting therelease of said locking means, said actuating point of the memberreciprocated periodically a distance substantially one-half thedefinite. distance between its. limits of travel, said definite distancedetermined by the total travel of the two ends of the member and thelocation of the actuating point of the member relative to the ends ofthe member, that portion of the distance 0 moved by the actuating pointbeyond a predetermined point in its path of movement being effective forreleasing the said locking means.

26. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, in which thepredetermined point lies on a line connecting the midpoints of travel ofthe tWo ends of the memer. I 27. An integrator of the characterdescribed in claim 25', in which the predetermined point is theintersection of diagonals joining the limits of travel of the two endsof the member.

28. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, in which thepredetermined point lies on a line connecting the midpoints of travel ofthe two ends of the member, the said actuating point spaced midwaybetween the ends of the member when the total travel of one end equalsthat of the other,

29. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, in which thepredetermined point lies on a line connecting the midpoints of travel ofthe two ends of the member, the saidactuating point spaced nearer theend of the member whose travel is the lesser when the total travel ofone end is less 0 than that of the other.

30. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, in whichrthepredetermined point is the intersection of diagonals joining the limitsof travel of the two ends of the member, the location of the actuatingpoint coinciding with the said predetermined point when the member is indiagonal position between limits of travel of the two ends of themember.

31. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, in which thepredetermined point lies on a line connecting the midpoints of travel ofthe two ends of the member, said actuating point lying on the same linewhen the member is in diagonal position between limits of travel of thetwo ends of the member.

32. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, includingmeans for vary-' ing the definite distance between the limits of travelof the actuating point.

33. An integrator of the character described in claim 25, includingmeans for varying the efiectiveness of the actuating point in releasingthe locking means.

34. An integrating device comprising in combination, a register, amember adapted to be positioned between limits in a plane, a measuringapparatus of a variable for posi tioning the member and in amountsproportional to the instantaneous value of the variable to be integratedwith respect to time, and a constantly driven time cam also effective inpositioning the member, the member adapted to effect actuation of theregister.

35. An integrating mechanism for a fluid flow meter comprising a memberpositioned in one plane by two components namely rate of fluid flow andtime, a register, means for periodically actuating the register, andmeans controlled by said member for varying the extent of saidactuation.

36. Apparatus comprising in combination, a constant speed normallyoperating driving shaft, a normally inoperative driven shaft, a deivceadapted to be operated by said driven shaft, and means for operativelyconnecting said shafts, said means responsive to a member positioned bya variable and by an independent variable.

37 Apparatus comprising a member positioned in accordance with the valueof a variable and responsive to an independent vari-

